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Chasing Ice

In his 2012 documentary “Chasing Ice,” award-winning photographer and film-maker James Balog delivers stunning yet shocking images of the impact of climate change on glaciers. He traveled to several locations setting up cameras to capture footage of the glaciers melting. This documentary is one of many that capture the effects of climate change on the earth. It gives insight into just how dire the situation is and that urgent action is necessary to address the matter of climate change. Years from now, we may not have any glaciers to speak of, and Balog’s expeditions are proof of this.

Balog traveled to far away locations including Iceland and Greenland to capture images and footage of the effects that global warming has on the environment. He was the author of the Extreme Ice Challenge in which time-lapse cameras were set up across the Arctic. These cameras were to capture data on the changes in glaciers over a number of years, starting in 2005. The expedition suffered many setbacks. The shooting location was far from ideal for the crew’s cameras and other equipment. Many of the cameras were quite costly and ended up getting spoilt within e short while due to the water from the ice. Other challenges include the extreme terrain in the Arctic. Balog underwent several surgeries due to a knee problem he suffered in the remote locations in Iceland, Alaska, and Greenland.

The team did not give up so quickly but made changes in their equipment and cameras. They were finally able to get images over a long period of ice to create the documentary “Chasing Ice.” some videographers spent weeks in Greenland to capture one of the most historic calving of a glacier. The 75-minute event happened at the Jakobshavn Glacier in Greenland and shows 7.4 km3 of ice crash off the glacier. The views shown in the film are quite breathtaking, but in just a few years, entire glaciers disappear leaving behind unrecognizable landscapes.

Melting ice and glaciers is one of the effects of global warming as a result of climate change. Global warming has led to the rising of temperatures on the earth’s surface causing ice to melt. The most significant contributor to global warming is greenhouse gases including methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide that cause the greenhouse effects. The earth receives radiation from the sun which should be reflected back into the atmosphere. However, these gases absorb the radiation and keep it from escaping into the atmosphere. The earth becomes much warmer as a result.

Melting ice and glaciers poses a significant threat to human life. It leads to rising of water levels in the seas and oceans of the earth. Because of this, coastal regions are at risk of being submerged. Human life and property are under serious threat. Greenhouse gases mainly from the burning of fossil fuels have led to acidification of water bodies and reduced oxygen level. Plant and animal life in these water bodies face the threat of extinction.

Solutions to the issue of climate change need to be implemented. There are many devastating effects including wildfires, rising water levels, drastic changes in weather patterns among others. All these pose a threat to human life and property. Countries need to come together to find ways of reducing climate change by looking for cleaner forms of energy. Greenhouse gases come from the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other human activities. “Chasing Ice” shows just how fast the impacts of global warming are felt across the world. The documentary creates awareness, and hopefully, it leads to action to combat climate change.

Works Cited

Balog, James. “Chasing Ice.” National Geographic Documentary (2012).